. >> reporter: when ralph mandarino goes to the grosse point public library outside of detroit it's not always for a book. >> i have a tool that's on reserve. >> reporter: that's right. tool, a tree trimmer. he says it's a better tool than owning one. if i bought that how often would you use it. >> that's the point. you'd only use it maybe once a year. >> reporter: here at the grosse point library there are 285 tools to borrow, everything from "a" on adjustable wrench to "x" an xacto knife. they're still looking for "y" and "z." libraries aren't just for books anymore. dvds are common on library shelves but the skokie, illinois, library, has things to make digital videos, flip cams, laptops and small video cameras. >> so i can put it on my head. >> reporter: that you can wear. >> we have people using a go pro camera for extreme stuff. >> reporter: librarians say it's all about meeting the needs of their communities in a world that's shifting from the printed world to digital content. in ann arbor, michigan, it means offering things that can't be downloaded, like telescopes and steel dru